A major software outage on Friday caused widespread disruption across critical infrastructure, impacting airlines, banks, supermarkets, TV stations, and countless other businesses. Flights were grounded, news broadcasts were interrupted, and workers were left scrambling as systems went down.
The outage appears to be global in scope, affecting millions of systems across the globe, from Australia to the United States. The culprit? CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity provider, and its Falcon Sensor software.
A blue screen of death.
What is CrowdStrike Falcon?
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity giant with nearly 10,000 employees. The company provides software solutions to thousands of businesses worldwide, protecting them against viruses, malware, and cyberattacks.
CrowdStrike Falcon is a key component of this defense system. It acts as a vigilant guardian, running silently in the background on corporate systems, constantly scanning for and neutralizing any potential threats.
The Domino Effect: Why Microsoft Was Heavily Impacted
While Microsoft itself wasn’t the source of the problem, the issue stemmed from CrowdStrike Falcon, which primarily operates on Microsoft Windows systems. This explains why Microsoft devices were disproportionately affected compared to Apple Macs, for example. Microsoft confirmed they were investigating the incident.
Government Reassurance: Not a Cyberattack
Importantly, government officials emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting this outage was caused by a malicious hack or cyberattack.
“Our current information is this outage relates to a technical issue with a third-party software platform,” stated National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuinness.
This highlights the critical role robust cybersecurity infrastructure plays in protecting vital systems.
An Unprecedented Outage in the Modern, Interconnected World
While technical glitches affecting businesses like telcos, banks, and supermarkets are not uncommon, the sheer scale of this outage is a stark reminder of our deep dependence on technology and the increasingly interconnected nature of our modern world.
Home Computers Not Affected
There’s no need to worry about your personal computer being impacted. CrowdStrike Falcon is primarily deployed on large business and enterprise systems, not typical home Windows PCs.
Temporary Workaround Available
CrowdStrike has issued a temporary solution to mitigate the issue. Here’s what they recommend:
- Boot your Windows machine into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment (usually by holding the F8 key before the Windows logo appears).
- Navigate to the specific directory containing the problematic file: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\Crowdstrike
- Locate the file named “C-00000291*.sys” and rename it to “C-00000291*.renamed”
- Reboot your computer normally.
This workaround should allow you to regain access to your system until a permanent fix is implemented by CrowdStrike.
Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. Summitsystemsissp assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.
